Pre-Med
Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients about illness, injuries, health conditions, and preventive healthcare (diet/fitness, smoking cessation, etc.). They can also conduct medical research, teach, and run medical centers. People with medical education are in demand in many areas. There are two paths to becoming a doctor: allopathic medicine, which leads to an M.D. (medical doctor), or osteopathic medicine, which leads to a D.O. (doctor of osteopathic medicine). Physicians work in one or more specialties, including, among others:
- Anesthesiology
- Family and general medicine
- General internal medicine
- General Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Psychiatry
- Surgery**
Additional Coursework
Taking advanced science courses can be beneficial to your knowledge and application. Consider taking one or more of the following courses, only if you are confident you can do well.
- BIO 310: Cell Biology
- BIO 315: Microbiology
- BIO 320: Genetics
- BIO 328: Mammalian Physiology
- BIO 361: Biochemistry*
- ANP: 300: Human Anatomy
- Courses in Psychology and Sociology*
*Strongly recommended for students planning to take the MCAT in 2015 or later.
Medical School Resources
- The Road To Becoming A Doctor
- Is a medical career right for me?
- Committee Letter Process
- Letter of Recommendation Guidelines
- MCAT
Allopathic (MD) Resources
Please click here for more information about a career in allopathic medicine (MD).
- AAMC: Association of American Medical Colleges
- AMCAS: American Medical Colleges Application Service
- Aspiring Docs
- MD/PhD
Osteopathic (DO) Resources
Please click here for more information about a career in osteopathic medicine (DO).
**Taken from Explore Health Careers website: http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Field/5/Medicine